The U.S. Open Cup`s Round of 32 action commences on Tuesday and Wednesday. This stage marks the entry of Major League Soccer (MLS) teams into the tournament, where they will face off against clubs from various lower leagues.
This week`s schedule includes 16 MLS sides. Among them are the four-time winners Chicago Fire, as well as two recent champions, the Houston Dynamo and Orlando City. These top-tier clubs will compete against lower division opponents, a group composed of 12 USL Championship teams, three from USL League One, and one MLS Next Pro team. Many of the matchups are geographically based, featuring several games between teams from the same state, such as North Carolina FC vs. Charlotte FC and Austin FC vs. El Paso Locomotive.
CBS Sports is providing comprehensive coverage of all 16 matches in the Round of 32. Broadcasts will be available across CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, and CBS Sports Golazo Network. In-studio analysis will be featured on both days. Additionally, “The Golazo Show,” a special program offering live look-ins, goals, and highlights from concurrent games, will air on Wednesday, which features 11 matches.
U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 Broadcast Schedule
(All times U.S. Eastern)
| TUESDAY, MAY 6 | TIME | HOW TO WATCH |
|---|---|---|
| D.C. United vs. Charleston Battery | 7 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| North Carolina FC vs. Charlotte FC | 7 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| Nashville SC vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves | 8 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| CBS Sports Golazo Matchday | 9 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| Colorado Springs Switchbacks vs. New York Red Bulls | 9:30 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| Tacoma Defiance vs. Portland Timbers | 10 p.m. | CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ |
| WEDNESDAY, MAY 7 | TIME | HOW TO WATCH |
|---|---|---|
| The Golazo Show | 7 p.m. | CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. New York City FC | 7 p.m. | CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ |
| Philadelphia Union vs. Indy Eleven | 7:30 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| Louisville City vs. Minnesota United | 7:30 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| Rhode Island FC vs. New England Revolution | 7:30 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Orlando City | 7:30 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| Chicago Fire vs. Detroit City | 8 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| FC Dallas vs. AV Alta FC | 8 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| St. Louis City vs. Union Omaha | 8 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| Austin FC vs. El Paso Locomotive | 8 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| CBS Sports Golazo Matchday | 10 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| Phoenix Rising vs. Houston Dynamo | 10 p.m. | CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ |
| San Jose Earthquakes vs. Sacramento Republic | 10:30 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
Key Matchups and Storylines for the Round of 32
1. Anticipated Clash: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Sacramento Republic
If there`s one game potentially grabbing headlines, it might be the final fixture: Sacramento Republic`s visit to the San Jose Earthquakes. While the MLS team, now guided by former U.S. men`s national team coach Bruce Arena, is likely favored, Sacramento Republic has a strong history in this tournament. Just a few years ago, they mounted a remarkable run to the final before ultimately losing to Orlando City, defeating MLS clubs like the Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, and Sporting Kansas City along the way. They were the first non-MLS side to reach the final since 2008 and could be aiming for another deep cup run this year, despite the odds.
2. Potential Upsets and Divisional Differences
Although most matches feature MLS teams against USL Championship sides, the Round of 32 also includes clubs from the third tier. This includes USL League One teams AV Alta FC, Chattanooga Red Wolves, and Union Omaha, as well as MLS Next Pro`s Tacoma Defiance (an affiliate of the Seattle Sounders). Tacoma Defiance will host a regional derby feel when the Portland Timbers visit, while the Chattanooga Red Wolves will play against fellow Tennessee club Nashville SC. In these specific matchups even more so than the others, the MLS teams are expected to dominate, but the single-elimination format of the cup provides an environment where lower-division sides always have a chance to pull off a significant upset.
